Five officers from the Ministry of Fisheries are currently in Korea attending a ‘Global Women’s Leadership Training Programme in Marine Bio-Resources Information System’. The programme has been designed to share Korea’s experiences in the field and to strengthen its partnership with Fiji. There are a total of 15 participants attending the programme from 3 countries.

Source: Ministry of Fisheries, Fiji, 23 October 2023

Malaysia's first shrimp farm operated with the help of Sustainable Aquaculture Farming System (SAFS) has officially commenced white leg shrimp farming (vannamei) in Penang, marking a new chapter in Penang's seafood industry. According to Pearl Express, Penang Premier Cao Kwan Yau visited Asia Aquaculture's smart shrimp farm in Batuman, Penang on Sunday afternoon to understand the prospects and needs of the industry. When asked by reporters later, he said that the relevant industries have great potential, the demand in the market is huge, the future prospects are very promising, once well planned, it will certainly be able to contribute to the Penang economy.

"With the help of science and technology, white leg shrimp farming can be more systematic and controlled, and the problems faced by traditional shrimp farming can be reduced, such as diseases, farming cycles and mortality of white shrimp." Therefore, he hoped that the relevant industry would work closely with the relevant government agencies, such as the Penang State Executive Councilors, who are in charge of the relevant areas, to discuss how to solve the current challenges, such as finding suitable sites to set up farms.

"As far as I know, there are currently several locations suitable for setting up white shrimp farms, and the state government will review the recommendations of the industry before deciding how to assist the development of the industry in Penang." In addition, with regard to the environmental problems of white shrimp farming, he believes that with the cooperation of government professionals, professionals and operators, better solutions will be obtained to solve these problems. Earlier, the company's chief executive officer Datuk Ismail said at a briefing that shrimp farms operating using the Sustainable Smart Aquaculture System (SAFS) have 10 times higher capacity than traditional shrimp farms.

"Among them, the mortality rate of white shrimp farmed in this system is only 5% to 10%, which is much higher than the survival rate of traditional shrimp farms, and other risks are relatively reduced under scientific farming. "He revealed that for the relevant projects, the company specially sent personnel to Vietnam to learn from experience and studied for more than many years before completing the technology transfer and setting up the relevant smart farm in Penang. He hopes to work with the Penang government in the future to develop the modern aquaculture system and become a major seafood aquaculture hub in the country, bringing new economic resources to Penang. Present were Penang First Deputy Governor Datuk Mohd Abdul Hami, Penang State Executive Councilors Famizano and Rasidy and Director of the Penang Fisheries Department Zalina.

Source: https://www.orientaldaily.com.my/, 22 October 2023.

A new five-year fisheries protocol to the sustainable fisheries partnership agreement was signed between the European Commission (EC) and the Republic of Kiribati on 2 October 2023. The new protocol will permit EC fishing vessels to restart operations in the fishing grounds of Kiribati.  provides the EC vessels access to one of the world's richest and healthiest tuna populations found in the Pacific Ocean, an area that accounts for more than half of the world's tuna catch. For the first time the EC and Kiribati agreed upon a regime based on effort management (fishing days) rather than catch management (reference tonnage). This regime is more aligned with Kiribati's domestic law and with how the Western & Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, the tuna regional fisheries management organisation established in the region, manages its purse seine tropical tuna fisheries. The EC purse seiners will be permitted to fish for up to 160 days per year, with the option for shipowners to purchase more days only in the event that there is sound scientific evidence that the tuna stock conditions permit further expansion of fishing operations. The fisheries protocol establishes an effective framework for monitoring, controlling, and surveillance that will enable both parties to ensure that EC vessels adhere to national, sub-regional, and regional conservation and management measures. Under the new protocol, over the next five years, EC and shipowner’s contributions could total around EUR 18 million, including payments of EUR 2 million to support the implementation of initiatives taken in the context of Kiribati's sectoral fisheries and maritime policy. The sectoral support programme will enable Kiribati to improve the capability of its Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development and to continue implementing sustainable fisheries policies. In particular, it will enable Kiribati to improve the livelihoods of artisanal fishers, strengthen monitoring, control, and surveillance capabilities, and maintain its food safety standards for both domestic consumption of seafood and export.

Source: https://www.fao.org/in-action/globefish/news-events/trade-and-market-news/q4-2023-oct-dec/en/